Foundation for a Drug-Free World Empowers Youth with a Deadly Weapon – The Truth About Drugs

CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 11, 2018 -- With 90 Americans dying every day from opioid overdoses, and opioid addiction here in Florida creating an equally tragic epidemic of newly-made orphans and foster children, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World of Florida, supported by the Church of Scientology, is providing youth a power tool against addiction – education.

Foundation for a Drug-Free World volunteers at Clearwater Beach distributing the Truth about Drugs information booklets to educate on the dangers of drugs. In 2017, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World Florida distributed over 50,000 booklets in the local community.

Next Wednesday, the 17^th of January, concerned parents and youth are invited to a free Truth About Drugs seminar at the Foundation for a Drug-Free World’s Clearwater center. The center is located at 41 N. Fort Harrison Ave. and will begin at 7pm.

The Truth About Drugs program is the largest non-governmental drug education program on earth. In alignment with the Centers for Disease Control – which calls for youth education as an effective tool against drug addiction, the Truth About Drugs program provides information about each drug of choice – including opioids and synthetic drugs.

“Though the National Institute of Health is focusing on better access to treatment, we at Drug-Free World are working to stop addiction dead in its tracks,” said Julieta Santagostino, the President of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World of Florida. “80 percent of those who are now hooked on heroin started with prescription painkillers – people think that if something is a prescription, it is safe. This mentality is passed on to our youth – and it is a dangerous mentality to have.”

Ms. Santagostino points to the Truth About Drugs program’s feature-length documentary, public service announcements and booklets as the key ingredients to the program.

“The film has former addicts talking about what the drugs are and how the drugs affected them mentally and physically,” she said. “Heroin is one of the three drugs most frequently involved in drug abuse deaths. It slows a person’s heart rate and breathing – sometimes to the point of death. It is not glamorous or chic and the booklets and video really show this – even more importantly, this knowledge is put into the hands of youth so that they can stay away from drugs and drug addiction.”

“The program is very effective,” said one educator. “In fact, after the session two boys asked for further help and were referred to a local agency who works with youths taking drugs. It did affect their knowledge. They became more aware of the side effects. Comments from some of the students were, ‘I will never touch drugs!’ and ‘I’ll tell my friends about this!’”

For more information about the program, or to reserve a seat at the January 17^th seminar, please call 727-467-6962.

About the Foundation for a Drug-Free World:  

Recognizing that “Research has demonstrated that the single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs,” humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard researched drug rehabilitation solutions and brought these to the world. Mr. Hubbard’s work galvanized Scientologists to support the Foundation for a Drug-Free World. The Foundation provides educational materials, advice and coordination for its international drug prevention network. It works with youth, parents, educators, volunteer organizations and government agencies—anyone with an interest in helping people lead lives free from drug abuse.

Contact Lisa Mansell
(727) 467-6860

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7fefe78d-f1bd-4512-87da-c577ebeade9b